The Eagle Has Landed...

We began our Adventures through the America’s with a night in Hollywood, Los Angeles. A predictable but exciting start to the trip along Hollywood Boulevard, taking in the walk of fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre (home of the Oscars) and our first taste of Budweiser and Californian Pizza. Mat was particularly excited when he stumbled on Magnum P.I.’s star, and sought advice on grooming the ‘dirty sanchez’.

Mat was surprised to find how nice and normal the average American is. However, whilst navigating our way on the Metro the next day, his attempts to form a friendship with a street musician were unsuccessful. Apparently Mat’s insistent attempts to help him move his multiple bags didn’t endear. We left on good terms as Mat accepted defeat after stating “how about I just stop trying to help you”.

We picked up a rental car after increasing our cover having found the amazing internet rate with basic insurance cover only provided cover in the event of tsunami or volcanic eruption (theft, 1st/3rd party and general damage from driving not included). After upgrading cover, be took the ‘Beige Bullet’ out of the car park, made a right turn 100m later and found ourselves driving in 6 lanes of traffic at 70 miles per hour where the use of indicators was apparently a voluntary decision on behalf of drivers. No one merges like a zipper here!

Mat’s preference for maintaining the driving position within the lane as if he were in a right-hand drive car meant Caroline sat dangerously close to any traffic on our right. Despite this, the 400 mile drive was swiftly completed with a memorable stop at a picturesque surf spot on the Pacific Coast highway and less than memorable stop at Taco Bell.

In San Francisco, we stayed with Sam, Chan and Andreas at the Embassy Suites, a Hilton Group Hotel, courtesy of hotel points accumulated by Andreas in his business travels. This special included a daily complimentary Breakfast and a guided walking tour (from Andreas) around this beautiful city.


San Francisco is a fantastic city with a variety of different neighbourhoods sitting side by side, from the bohemian home of Vietnam protest in Haight-Ashbury to the rejuvenated waterfront featuring amazing public sculptures and up-market delis. We took in a Major League Baseball game with the Gaints taking on the Padres, featuring Barry Bonds as he closes in on the all time home run record. Despite the best efforts of the Giants to lose it in the 9th, they won their first game of the season 5-3.

Other attractions included a day with Mary (Andrew Ward) and Sarah touring the Napa Valley Wineries, a morning in the de Young Art Museum, a stroll through Berkley University and a fabulous meal at a Micro-brewery in Burlingham. And of course, the Golden Gate Bridge which is a truly magnificent piece of engineering, even if it is enveloped in fog a lot of the time.

And of course, a visit to San Francisco would not be complete without a visit to the house from ‘Full House’, the 80’s sitcom featuring Danny, Uncle Jessie, Uncle Joey, DJ, Stephanie, Michelle, Kimmy, Becky… too much info? As Sam and I sat in the park taking in the view of the house, we suddenly realized we had no idea which house was specifically the ‘Full House’ house, but took solace in the fact that there were 30 other travelers standing in the park taking photos of the houses and were probably facing the same issue.

Onwards from here, we head to Las Vegas, hoping to make it out to the Grand Canyon, and then back to Los Angeles.